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Iran’s supreme leader: ‘US is in crisis’

November 3, 2016 at 1:01 pm

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, described the US’ presidential election frontrunners as a “catastrophe” and warned against any further negotiations with Washington.

“These two candidates [Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump] show the catastrophic reality which goes beyond what even we were saying,” Khamenei said in a speech reported on his website.

“Their statements are proof of the destruction of human values in the United States,” Khamenei said.

“The trampling of human values and human rights, racial discrimination and racism are the reality in American society.”

Khamenei’s remarks marked the 37th anniversary of the Iran hostage crises when 52 US diplomats and staff were held hostage by Iranian students for 444 days, which sparked the collapse of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

He said Iran’s continued exclusion from the global banking system, despite the lifting of international sanctions under a nuclear deal with world powers, showed the United States could not be trusted.

“Some people try to develop this dangerous idea that if we compromise with the United States, the problems of our country will be solved,” he said. “The nuclear deal and the attitude of the United States are an example that shows this is not correct.”

Although international sanctions were lifted in January, Washington has maintained its own sanctions related to human rights and Iran’s missile programme – effectively preventing Iran’s return to the banking system.

Khamenei, who has the final say in all matters of state in Iran, said he saw no point in holding talks with Washington on the multiple conflicts gripping the region.

“Negotiating with the United States will not solve the problems. First, because they lie, they don’t respect their commitments, trick others. And secondly, because the United States is itself in crisis.”